Officer Performance and Safety

Officer Safety Videos

Strategic Plan

Law enforcement officers face many different dangerous and stressful situations in the line of duty. Some, such as gun violence, are obvious; others dangers (e.g., fatigue) are hidden, but common, and can greatly hinder officer performance. Officer performance is also affected by training and other factors.

NIJ supports work to study and improve officer performance and safety on several fronts. For decades, NIJ has been on the forefront of testing and developing protective equipment for officers, from body armor to roadside visibility aids. NIJ also funds projects to prevent and eliminate officer fatigue and mental health problems. To help officers improve various aspects of their day-to-day work, NIJ sponsors a variety of training courses and funds the development of tools to aid officer performance.